Praying on a daily basis is a personal and wonderful opportunity to stay connected to our Lord, and is an important link in our chain connecting us to our anchor, Jesus. Just like visiting with a friend, sharing news, feelings, concerns, and asking for support builds a strong and close bond, so it does with our Creator. Yes, He already knows everything, but we were created to be a part of His family if we should choose to do so. He wants that relationship! And, like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Paul, being a preacher, teacher, and apostle, expresses the importance of prayer in the first eight verses of 1st Timothy as follows:
(1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (7) Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. (8) I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Notice that although it is important to express our own needs to God, Paul encourages us to pray for all, even our leaders.
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